Trayvon Martin's girlfriend speaks out about final moments before teen's slaying

9:13 p.m. EST, March 20, 2012|

By Arelis R. Hernández, Orlando Sentinel

The girlfriend of slain Miami teenager Trayvon Martin spoke to the family attorneys, detailing the final moments before he was shot to death by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman.

The 16-year-old girl, who was not identified, said in a phone call recorded by ABC News this morning that as Trayvon was walking he told her "some man was watching him" so he pulled his hoodie over his head.

She told attorneys she then heard the 17-year-old ask "What are you following me for?"

Then a man, presumably Zimmerman, replied: "What are you doing around here?"

The girl said Trayvon must have been pushed because his headset fell off and the phone call ended.

ABC News released the interview during a Good Morning America segment Tuesday morning.

A few hours later, an attorney for Trayvon's family held a press conference in Fort Lauderdale to play an audio recording of the girl recounting the conversation she had with Trayvon when he encountered Zimmerman in a Sanford gated community on Feb. 26.

Attorney Benjamin Crump said the audio helps disprove the account Zimmerman gave police when he told them he was acting in self-defense.

On the one-minute recording Crump played for reporters this morning, the young woman said Trayvon told her a man was following him and that he was trying to get away.

The Department of Justice announced late Monday that they were opening an investigation into Trayvon's shooting death.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has also asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to assist local authorities in their investigation.

Trayvon was returning from a convenience store when he encountered Zimmerman inside a gated Sanford community more than three weeks ago.

The 28-year-old has a history of reporting suspicious activity in the neighborhood and recently-released 911 calls reveal he followed Trayvon against the dispatcher's advice.

Moments later, Trayvon was found facedown in the grass. Zimmerman was bleeding from the nose and head.

He has not been charged in the teen's death. Zimmerman said he shot him in self-defense.